Orthoptics – Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools Eye Care Service

General introduction

The Orthoptic Department provides a service to assess and treat children with special educational needs (SEN).

This service is offered to children from age four to 19 years in special educational (SEN) schools and child development centres in Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn.

Research shows that up to 80 per cent of children with additional needs may have associated visual difficulties. Orthoptists are specially trained to identify vision / eye problems in children who are unable to perform a standard vision assessment.

Orthoptists will work with other professionals to assess and correct visual function problems to help these children maximise their learning and their potential. The service will also assess and support children with visual impairment in mainstream school and work closely with teachers for the visually impaired.

The assessment process may involve different assessments carried out by a range of professionals. See useful information.